Football | Spain

Barca look to advance in King's Cup

Barcelona’s second leg match of the Copa Del Rey Round of 32 will take place at the Camp Nou on Wednesday evening against Alaves.

The Blaugrana come into the match with a generous advantage from the away leg at the Mendizorroza (0-3), but they will have approach the match against a demanding Segunda Divisón B Alavés side with caution. Traditionally, the Blaugrana have always taken these matches with utmost seriousness.

The Club has organised the second Member Solidarity Day to coincide with tonight’s match. Therefore, the seats freed-up by the Seient Lliure programme will be allocated to communal social organisations. Last year’s first iteration of the initiative, during the Cup match against L’Hospitalet, was a extremely successful.

VILLA SET TO RETURN

After recovering from niggling pain in his ankle, David Villa was named to Barca’s 16-man squad for the match. Tito Vilanova has dropped Valdes, Iniesta, Pique, Sergio, Xavi, Jordi Alba and Messi from the squad, five of whom are the players that have featured the most for the team this season. Dani Alves will also miss the match due to the injury he picked up against Levante.

Five Barca B players have also been named to the team: Oier, Tello, Sergi Roberto, Deulofeu and Planas. This is the first time that Carles Planas has been called up for a match with the senior side.

ALAVES TO DEBUT A NEW KEEPER

Alaves, on the other hand, come into the match with a few absences. Both goalkeepers, Miguel and Urtzi, will not suit up. Therefore, the goal will be defended by the Alaves’ reserve side keeper, Sergio Herrera. The team managed by Natxo Gonzalez currently lead their Segunda Divison B group and despite the 0-3 from the away leg, they showed themselves to be a well-organised and ambitious team.